Biomaterial and Musculoskeletal Engineering Lab

People

Principal Investigator:

Sophia Theodossiou, Ph.D.

Sophia was raised in Athens, Greece, and was fascinated from an early age by how living things work. She completed her BA in Human Biology and Anthropology at Northwestern University in 2012. Following a series of odd jobs (taxi driver, IHOP server, a 3 year stint in the outdoor industry, EMT), she returned to graduate school and completed her PhD in Biological Engineering at the University of Idaho, graduating in the totally normal, not at all unprecedented year of 2020. Sophia spent 2020-2022 in Boston as an NIH IRACDA Postdoctoral Scholar at Tufts University, and a T32 Organ Design and Engineering Training Program Postdoctoral Fellow at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute. In August 2022, she returned to the great state of Idaho as an Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering at Boise State University, and founded the Biomaterials and Musculoskeletal Engineering Lab, or BMEL (“BEE-mehl”). Research in BMEL seeks to understand how mechanical and biochemical signals guide musculoskeletal tissue formation during normal development, with the goal of using developmentally-inspired cues to regenerate these tissues following injury or disease. When not happily engaged in research, mentoring, teaching, or grant writing, you’ll find Sophia (and usually one or more of her dogs) mountain biking, trail running, backcountry or downhill skiing, backpacking, camping, cooking, traveling, reading, unsuccessfully gardening, teaching wilderness medicine courses, volunteering for search & rescue, and sailing between uninhabited islands in her beloved Aegean sea.

Doctoral Students:

Brian Penney

Brian was born in Omaha, Nebraska and grew up in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Brian graduated from the University of Idaho in 2022 with his Bachelor’s of Science in Biological Engineering. His undergraduate research focused on biochemical injury factors in tendon. He began his Biomedical Engineering Doctorate in BMEL at BSU in the Fall of 2022. Brian’s research focuses on better understanding the early stages of Osteoarthritis pathogenesis in regards to mechanical alterations in the affected cartilage using models comprised of chondrocytes, macrophages and dynamically stiffening silk scaffolds. He also is using silk microneedle patches for drug delivery with cargo like antifreeze proteins for frostbite treatment and genetically engineered probiotics for neurotransmitter production or inhibition. Outside of research, Brian is an avid rock climber and biker.

Calvin Jones

Calvin was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. In 2021, Calvin graduated from Texas A&M University (WHOOP!) with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biomedical Engineering. After graduation, Calvin worked as a research assistant for a spinal cord injury lab at the Texas A&M Health Science Center. Calvin joined BMEL in the fall of 2022 and began his doctorate in Biomedical Engineering at Boise State University. Calvin’s research focuses on understanding the nanomechanical properties of novel biomaterials, and how those properties can be modulated to selectively direct the differentiation of cells in aims to improve regenerative therapies of complex musculoskeletal tissues. In his free time, Calvin enjoys watching sports, spending time with friends and family, and exploring the outdoors.

Master Students:

Sourjja Deep

Sourjjadeepta Biswas, typically known as Sourjja Deep, hails from Bangladesh and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from NIT Surat in India. After his time in the industry in Bangladesh, he joined the Mechanical Engineering master’s program for the fall 2023 at Boise State University in Idaho, USA. Far from home, his passion for biology and a personal experience with a fractured forearm have fueled his commitment to musculoskeletal engineering. His goal is to develop cutting-edge custom biomaterials and innovative medical devices to contribute to his lab’s research in biomedical engineering. In his free time, apart from his usual human activities, he likes to gaze upon the stars and contemplate over the vast continuum of time and space.

Research Assistants:

Jordan

Jordan was born in Boise, Idaho. In May of 2023, Jordan graduated from Boise State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and two minors in Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering. During her final semester at Boise State University, Jordan joined BMEL and has continued to work in the lab after graduation for preparation of her future endeavors towards medical school. Jordan helps PhD and Master students with their research projects wherever needed. In her time outside of the lab, Jordan enjoys spending time with family, friends, and pets, doing anything outdoors, and making art.

Undergraduates:

Skyler Kichak

Tawa Giwa

Publications

News

Past Hightlights

Brian and Calvin give poster presentations at Boise State’s 2023 Graduate Student Showcase

  • Brian’s Poster: “Novel Probiotic Administration Route using Silk Microneedles”
  • Calvin’s Poster: “AFM Characterization of the Cellular Nanomechanical Environment”
  • April 11, 2023, Boise, Idaho

BMEL represents Boise State at Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) 2023

  • February 10-14, Dallas, Texas

Contact Us

Available Postitions

  • There are currently no openings for positions within the lab, however, undergraduates and potential graduate students are always encouraged to inquire.